A doctor may offer sedation, which means that a person is awake but unaware and feels no pain. People undergoing a colonoscopy are typically not fully conscious. Ways a colonoscopy can be painful or uncomfortable

This ensures that a doctor can easily see the inside of the intestines. In most cases, a person needs to prepare for the procedure a day or two in advance by taking laxatives and changing their diet to clean out the intestines. This means that a colonoscopy can both test for and sometimes treat harmful growths in the colon. If a doctor sees polyps or other growths in the colon, they may remove them and send them to a laboratory for further testing. The procedure usually takes 30–60 minutes. The doctor also inserts air into the colon to expand it and make it easier to see any unusual growths. There is a camera at the end of the tube to help the doctor see the colon. If a person receives a general anesthetic, this medication will put them completely to sleep.ĭuring the procedure, a doctor inserts a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope in through the anus and rectum to access the colon. An anesthesiologist or anesthetist inserts a needle into a vein in the hand or arm and injects medication to help relax the person and prevent pain. Share on Pinterest Sukan Saythong/Getty ImagesĪ colonoscopy is a procedure to look for cancerous growths and polyps in the colon, which is the longest portion of the large intestine.īefore the procedure, a person lies on a table, usually in a hospital gown that is open at the back.

Side effects from colonoscopy